Anita Dobson thinks she is ‘too old’ to go back to EastEnders.
The actress, 74, played Angie Watts in the BBC One soap opera from its very first episode in 1985 until 1988.
But despite having fond memories of her time on the series and filming the famous scene in which Den (Lesley Grantham) served her with divorce papers in 1986, Anita believes that she is too old to make a comeback.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she told stand-in host Louise Minchin: ‘I knew when we were filming it that it was a great scene, the relationship was really good between us.
‘I didn’t realise the impact that we would have on the public and to this day I’m thrilled. I love the fact that everybody took the Watts to their hearts. I don’t think I could [go back] at my old age, I’m too old now! Everybody nearly has gone!’
Anita Dobson reveals the sad reason she doesn’t think she could ever make a comeback EastEnders
More than 30 million viewers tuned in on Christmas Day 1986 to watch husband Den (Leslie Grantham) serve her with divorce papers and it remains one of the most-watched broadcasts ever, just behind the 1966 World Cup final, the funeral of Princess Diana and the 1969 documentary about the royal family.
Since her time on EastEnders, Anita has gone on to have a long career in television but has also appeared in musicals such as Wicked and Annie.
Now, she is starring as Mrs Flood in the upcoming Christmas special of Doctor Who and claimed that the ‘secret’ to the show’s long-running success is because it moves with the times.
She said: ‘I think the secret, from my point of view, is that it keeps changing.
‘The fact that it keeps coming up with different ideas, different doctors, different situations.
It is moving forward with the times and with the technology, I think that is what is keeping it going.’
In real life, Anita has been married to Queen rocker Brian May, 76, since 2000 but the couple never usually get to spend the buildup to Christmas together because she normally does pantomine.
But this year, Anita was unable to commit to a panto run because she was working so far into December,
Anita shot to fame as part of the original cast of EastEnders as Angie Watts (pictured with Leslie Grantham as on-screen husband Den)
The Christmas Day episode in 1986 in which Den served Angie with divorce papers is still one of the most-watched broadcasts in history
In real life, the actress is married to Sir Brian May (pictured) and explained that this year the pair are looking forward to spending Christmas together because she has no theatre commitments
This means that the couple can ‘shut the doors’ and enjoy the holiday season together for a change.
She said: ‘Usually, I’m working and doing pantomime.
‘This year, because I was working quite late up to the wire, I’m not so I’m enjoying the run up to Christmas.
‘We’ve decided, Brian and I, that we’re going to just shut the doors and just be us.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk